Latest news with #16thStreetMall
Yahoo
10-06-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Most of 16th Street reopens in $175M construction project. Here's what locals think
DENVER (KDVR) — The years-long construction on the former 16th Street Mall is wrapping up this year, and most of the fences have come down. While some people love the new area, others still won't step foot downtown. What was known as the 16th Street Mall is finishing up a major reconstruction project, where blocks from Market Street to Cleveland Place are being revamped in what's expected to be a $175 million project to bring life back into the city. After adding new ground-floor realtors, patios, trees, art installations, security and a new name, most of the blocks are now open to the public. 'A whole new feel': Here's what's new on 16th Street in Denver What's now known as 16th Street reopened at the end of May, with blocks from Market Street to Glenarm Place open along the strip. While people are heading downtown and loving the new strip, the street is still considered the same by other locals. FOX31 asked its viewers on Facebook: 'What do you think of the 'new' 16th Street?' and less than 24 hours and over 500 comments later, many people had differing opinions on the construction project. Throughout the hundreds of comments, there were four main thoughts on the new street: Many Facebook users said they loved the new street, and it's 'actually pretty nice' and it's a '100% major improvement.' 'It looks great. Pedicabbing downtown on this street again has been fun. The people are out again. For the people claiming it's filled with crime/homeless you clearly don't get outside enough and haven't seen it since reopening,' said one user. People said they specifically loved the greenery and trees on the street, the beer garden area and open container zones and the seating options. Others said they loved the art, live music and options for families. While some people loved the new area, others are hesitant to head downtown again. Some said they don't feel safe going downtown alone, while others said it was in the middle of Denver, which is a 'No Go' for their family. Businesses say rebound on Denver's 16th Street Mall tied to new public safety efforts 'Still downtown. Still won't go,' said one user. Other users believed the project was a waste of money, and it wasn't worth three years and $170 million in construction. People specifically said the street looks the same and had the same problems, while others believed millions for a change in the name was pointless. 'I think it shouldn't have cost $100,000 to a marketing firm to remove the word 'Mall' from '16th Street Mall'. I'd have done it for half that amount,' said one user. Others believed that the street was moving in the right direction, but would like to see more changes, like public restrooms, the chess tables on the 'old' 16th Street Mall, improved traffic on cross streets, more businesses and less empty space. 'A work in progress that still has a ways to go, but I'm glad the investment and commitement has been made,' said one user. While people are looking for more, 16th Street isn't complete yet. There are still four unfinished blocks, and the entire project is expected to be finished by this fall. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
17-05-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
16th Street mall could have outdoor alcohol consumption areas when it officially reopens
DENVER (KDVR) — As the 16th Street Mall is set to officially reopen from over a year of construction in the coming weeks, the city is considering a new rule that would allow for the consumption of alcohol outside in certain areas. Businesses on the mall said the ability to drink on the go has the potential to be a real driving force for bringing people back here for the first time in years. Heather Delaney has been the general manager at Appaloosa Grill on the 16th Street Mall for about a year now, and it was anything but normal. 'It was a crazy year,' said Delaney. 'We had fences up until probably, like, two months ago.' As that construction wraps up, people have started to come back out, and the idea of outdoor alcohol consumption has Delaney excited. 'I love a good Bourbon Street, so I think it'll be good,' said Delaney. The city's Department of Excise and Licenses held a public hearing Friday morning to lay out the proposal. Currently, the idea is to designate the area of the 16th Street Mall and Glenarm Place as consumption areas, where people can walk outdoors with a drink purchased from an eligible business that earns a new alcohol takeout license. Denver is home to one of the best brunch buffets in the US: TastingTable Lisa Pope, President of the Upper Downtown Neighborhood Association, said this is exactly what the area needs. 'We're super excited,' said Pope. 'We need a central gathering spot, and Glenarm Plaza is going to be that for us.' Delaney agreed, saying any help to return the mall to its former glory is appreciated. 'It's giving the bars kind of extra foot traffic,' said Delaney. 'Even to just come in and have a beer, you know, that's sales.' She also said that a similar, temporary situation during the pandemic was a success. 'It really worked well for us,' said Delaney. 'It kind of kept us alive being a mom and pop on 16th and we're still here today.' While the plan has not been finalized yet, both Delaney and Pope hope this is what brings a new normal to the area. 'It's just going to be a fantastic place, even better than it was before,' said Pope. Other rules the city included in the proposal are that takeout sales can only happen between 10 a.m. and 9 p.m., and you cannot bring your own alcohol into the area. The city said it's now reviewing public input it received on Friday before finalizing the rules ahead of the 16th Street Mall's official reopening later this month. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
26-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
A gondola system in Denver? One man says it's the key to economic revitalization
DENVER (KDVR) — The director of a downtown Denver nonprofit says the key to downtown revitalization could be in the form of a gondola system. Ryan Ross is the director of New Denver Downtown, Inc. On Sunday, he publicly unveiled his plans for downtown revitalization, entitled 'Downtown Revitalization Project.' Bill streamlining food truck permits passes Colorado House committee 'The idea is to revitalize all of downtown,' said Ross, speaking from his office that overlooks the 16th Street Mall. Most notably, the project includes plans for moving sidewalks, an outdoor/indoor amphitheater and a three-loop gondola system. 'We don't need buses on the mall,' he said. The estimated cost for the project, according to Ross, is a half-billion dollars, which he said could be financed with bonds, federal grants and local partnerships. Ross said the project could take place anywhere in the downtown area. The 16th Street Mall first opened in 1982. Ross said he has had one, initial discussion with Denver Mayor Mike Johnston's team. Cherry Creek schools set to spend $15M to partner with NWSL for new stadium, multi-use facilities A spokesperson for Johnston said, in a statement: 'While we have not, yet, reviewed this specific application, Denver is looking forward to exploring all creative and productive applications submitted.' Additional information on the proposal is available from info@ Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
24-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Popular Japanese store Daiso opens in Aurora; more locations expected soon
DENVER (KDVR) — A popular store that sells Japanese-inspired home decor, stationary, food and more has made its way to Colorado with the grand opening of another location. Daiso describes itself as a 'one-stop-shop for all your household needs.' The family-owned company made a name for itself in Asia before expanding to the U.S. According to the company's website, Daiso operates 6,000 stores across the world. In 2005, the company expanded to the U.S. where it now operates more than 150 stores. According to Japanese Taste, Daiso is a Japanese retailer that became famous for its inexpensive 100-yen offerings. Converted to U.S. dollars, 100 yen is about 66 cents. Daiso has built a cult-like following and is most notably known for its household goods but sells other items like beauty products, stationery, personal care, toys, games, electronic accessories and more. Mellow Mushroom on 16th Street Mall closes The second Colorado Daiso location opened Saturday in Aurora at 2353 S. Havana St., near the Village on the Park shopping mall. Aurora Mayor Mike Coffman stopped by the store during its grand opening weekend and noted in a Facebook post that the line was wrapped around the building. 'Welcome DAISO to Aurora. We are proud that you chose our diverse city to locate your newest store in the United States,' said Coffman on Facebook. Time magazine names Denver hotel as one of 'World's Greatest Places of 2025' This isn't the first Daiso to open in Colorado. According to a press release, the first Colorado location opened on March 15 in Fort Collins at 4300 S. College Ave., Suite 18. The company is expected to open two more stores by this spring — one in Centennial at Cherry Knolls and a second Aurora location at the Southlands Shopping Center. The Aurora Daiso is open daily from 9 a.m. to 9 p.m. Monday through Saturday and 10 a.m. to 8 p.m. on Sunday. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
Yahoo
18-03-2025
- Business
- Yahoo
Denver puts $1.5M more into 16th Street Mall for summer events, activities
DENVER (KDVR) — More money is going into the 16th Street Mall in hopes of driving more foot traffic toward the downtown spot by bringing concerts, markets and art installations starting this summer. On Monday, the Denver City Council approved a $1.5 million amendment to a contract between the city and county of Denver and Downtown Denver Partnership, Inc. for activation activities related to the reopening of the 16th Street Mall. Timeline: 16th Street Mall construction expected to finish in 2025 The contract said this includes art installations on vacant storefronts, enhancing street connections, events and entertainment series and temporary or permanent art installations to bring more people into the area and create a positive shift in public perception of downtown Denver. The partnership's proposal plans to open the blocks between Market Street and Glenarm Place on May 31 and June 1, lining the summer opening weekend up with the Outside Festival. During the opening weekend, there will be activation activities like Saturday markets with local vendors, temporary art installments and live music series in Writer Square, Glenarm Plaza, OuterSpace and Skyline Park. While official plans for the opening weekend haven't been announced yet, the proposal said it would launch the 16th Street brand, live music and activations in the spring, with more events, activations and installations open by this summer. In total, the contract approved $1 million for activation activities and $500,000 for safety improvements, adding $1.5 million to the contract. This adjusted the initial contract amount with the partnership of $400,000 for vacant storefront support and enhanced street connections. Previous coverage: First completed block of the new 16th Street opens The partnership is working with $1.9 million on the 16th Street Mall, while the 16th Street Mall Project said the total paid-to-date cost lies at $151.3 million and the estimated cost will be $175.4 million. The 16th Street Mall Project said it's still planning on taking down the fences by the fall. Copyright 2025 Nexstar Media, Inc. All rights reserved. This material may not be published, broadcast, rewritten, or redistributed.
